"...Haven't you?"
Shigure smiled, looking at Candle Dragon softly.
Her body trembled. She froze.
Seeing her silence, Shigure continued: "From the beginning, Soul Reaper and Zanpakutō... have been each other's only companions, right?"
"Even after achieving physical form, I don't think that will change."
"Whether standing beside me or as my blade, you're the only one I can rely on in battle. Isn't that so?"
"Think back carefully. All the battles we've experienced."
"In those battles, besides you... have I ever depended on anyone else...?"
As he spoke, he slowly raised his hand toward her.
Candle Dragon's eyes trembled.
The lightning in her eyes faded. Became ink-black pupils.
Then her mind recalled Shigure's battles one by one.
From exterminating the owl-shaped Hollow in Karakura Town, to the Espada... all the way to the final battle against Aizen fused with the Hōgyoku.
Every single battle—he relied on his own power, or... his Zanpakutō.
He'd never fought alongside anyone else.
Her heart trembled.
Like enlightenment. Her heart suddenly cleared.
All those lingering thoughts straightened out instantly.
A window opened in her heart. Filled with bright sunlight.
She finally understood.
Gazing at Shigure, her mouth curved upward.
A happy, proud smile appeared.
Slowly, she closed her eyes and laughed.
"Hehehehe..."
Clear laughter rang out. Pleasant as wind chimes.
The lightning around her faded. Transformed into gentle white light.
The thunderstorm beneath her feet converted to spreading wind waves.
She gently raised her slender hand. Placed it on his. Laughed lightly. "Heehee..."
"Shigure, this physical manifestation really is wonderful."
"Otherwise, I probably would never have heard you say such gentle words."
"So... mm, I've decided... I forgive you!"
She showed a mischievous smile. Lunged directly at Shigure. Hugged him tightly.
Her wings folded quickly. She looked like an ordinary girl.
Shigure was lightly bumped. Instinctively dazed. Then smiled wryly. He hadn't expected such initiative.
And her emotions really were like her power—so unpredictable...
Halfway through that thought, Candle Dragon turned her head toward the dazed Aning. Laughed lightly. "Can't be helped... since Shigure said that, you can hold his hand a little. But... not the left hand!"
"I really hate your aura moving around on top of me!"
Aning looked confused. Shigure felt exasperated and amused. He understood perfectly.
His Zanpakutō normally hung at his left waist. If Aning held his left hand, she'd be right above Candle Dragon.
And Candle Dragon disliked the spiritual pressure on Aning that matched his...
He laughed lightly. Helplessly: "You're really particular."
Candle Dragon's smile grew more smug. She didn't speak. Just hummed softly.
...
Meanwhile, outside the courtyard.
Not just Rukia and Soi Fon now. Several captains and lieutenants had rushed over.
Seeing them startled Rukia. But she stopped them all outside.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Shunsui Kyōraku, Nanao Ise, Isane Kotetsu...
They'd noticed the lightning shooting skyward. Rushed over.
They knew Shigure wouldn't release his Zanpakutō normally.
Two possibilities.
First, some enemy appeared. He needed to release his Zanpakutō to fight.
Second, his Zanpakutō... released itself.
Neither situation seemed optimistic.
Just as Shunsui and Nanao arrived, they'd caught Candle Dragon's terrifying spiritual pressure expanding.
Now the courtyard had fallen quiet. Made them worried.
"Will Captain Segawa... be alright...?" Nanao asked carefully.
Shunsui smiled. "Little Nanao, you're underestimating Segawa. Even if all those rebellious Zanpakutō attacked him together, nothing would necessarily happen."
Lazy smile. Confident laughter.
But Nanao couldn't relax. Stared toward the courtyard. Frowning tightly. "But... but, what if that... Candle Dragon suddenly rebelled... what then?"
"If it's Candle Dragon's power... possibly..."
She couldn't help worrying. When she saw that lightning, she'd already had this concern.
Rukia, Soi Fon, and the others nearby shared the same worry.
But just then, a clear voice came from within. A light laugh. "Sorry to keep everyone waiting."
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